Tank's 2026 Stanley Cup Final Preview

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Stanley Cup Final

• Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vegas Golden Knights
• Hurricanes in Five

The Vegas Golden Knights are in the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in nine years. They first reached the Cup Final in their expansion season of 2018, meaning they have won the West in one-third of their seasons. A type of quick success and consistency that will unlikely be repeated. Despite the success, the Knights have often changed coaches, with John Tortarella succeeding Bruce Cassidy on March 29. The change seemed to spark Vegas, which had been playing lackluster hockey most of the season. They ended the season by going 7-0-1 in their final eight games to finish first in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights needed six games to defeat the Mammonth and the Ducks, before a stunning sweep of the Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals. Along the way, Mitch Marner, who had struggled in previous postseasons with the Maple Leafs, is building a new legacy by leading the team with 21 points, including 7 goals.

The Carolina Hurricanes are back in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years. They won the Cup in 2006 and have been scratching at the door for the last seven years. After three heartbreaking losses in the Eastern Conference Finals between 2019 and 2025, Carolina finally broke through by taking down the Canadiens in five games. The Hurricanes had been the best team in the Eastern Conference all season and had ravaged the East on the way to the Stanley Cup Final, sweeping the Senators and the Flyers before taking on the Canadiens. In fact, the only loss that Carolina has suffered this postseason was Game 1 of the Conference Finals, playing after a 12-day layoff between series. In goal, Frederik Andersen has been a force with a 1.41 GAA, which includes a five-goal loss in the series opener. The Hurricanes' blueline has been stellar, locking down the attack with K'Andre Miller with a +14 in the playoffs. 

The Golden Knights are playing their best hockey when it matters, but the Hurricanes have been a force all season. Defense and goaltending will always be the most important factors in late playoff runs. No goalie is hotter than Frederik Andersen, and the Hurricanes have had the formula down for several years, only to be frustrated by the Panthers, who won the last two Stanley Cups. At 12-1, the Hurricanes have dominated, and that will continue into the Stanley Cup Final, as the Knights and Vegas will not be able to handle the storm that is coming. Look for the Hurricanes to win this series in five games.

Jared C. Tilton. Getty Images.

Conn Smythe Winner

Frederik Andersen